Attachment for rocking-chairs.



J. 0. RYAN. ATTACHMENT FOR ROCKING CHAIRS. APPLICATION FILED we. 31.1912.

1,072,995, Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

To all whom, it mag concern:

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'- Be it known that 1, JOHN C. Ryan, a

icitizen of the United States, residing at Crosby, in the county ofHarris and State of Texas, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements inAttachments for Rocking .Chairs, of whichthe following isa specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings;

This invention relates to fan attachments for rocking chairs and has forits primary object to provide a simple mechanism for actuating a rotaryfan, said mechanismbeing operated in one direction of movement: of therockers of the chair. f

Another object of theinvention to pro-i vide a platform or supportingbase having grooves to receive the rockers. of thechair,

said base andth'e chair-rockers being provided with means to preventlongitudinalmovement of the chair upon said base, a

' frame mounted upon the base and a'fan ar ranged in the frame,mechanism mounted on the base for rotating the fan shaft, and

means carried by the chair rockers to actuate said mechanism. v

Still another object of the invention is ;to

provide a fan actuating mechanism which consists of comparatively fewelements of simple form whereby a mechanism is produced which isreliable and positive in operation and is capable of manufacture atcomparatively small cost. 7 V

lVith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in thenovel features of construction and the combination and arwhich,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fan attachment for rocking chairsembodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is asection taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a rear elevation.

Referring in deail to the drawing, 5 designates a base or platform uponwhich the rocking chair indicated at 6 is arranged. This chair includesthe usual curved rockers 7 which are disposed in parallel longitudinalgrooves or channels 8 formed in the upper surface of the base orplatform 5. A rack 9 is secured in each of these grooves or channels andcomplementary racks 10 fixed to the under surfaces of the rockers 7 meshwith the teeth of the racks 9 and effectively 0 Specification ofIletters 'Eatent.

, mesa seat. e, 1913.

Ap ucamnfiled least 31, 1912. seriar N"... viaie e.

prevent longitudinal sliding movement of the chair rockers in thegrooves of the platform. These grooves are of sufficient depth toobviateliability of the chair rockers mov- 'ing transversely upon the platformout of said grooves.

H Upon the base or platform 5 a suitable frame structure 11 is erected,and is firmly {braced by means of the rods 11 which eX- Qtend throughthe base 5. Upon each side of the frame 11 a.-t ransversely disposed fanshaft 12 is journaled in suitable bearings 13. Upon each of the shafts12 a fan 14L of any approved form is secured. These fans are inclosedwithin a skeleton frame or casing [15 to protect the occupant of thechair againstpossible injury by contact of the fingers with thefanblades- Upon the rear end of the-platform- 5, a shaft 16 is rotatablymounted. This shaft has fixed upon each end a pulley or belt wheel 17.These wheels are traversed by theendless belts 18 which extend upwardlyand pass around the pulleys 19 fixed upon the fan shafts 12. Upon theshaft 16 a gear 20 is loosely mounted and adjacent to this gear aratchet 21 is fixed upon said shaft. Upon one face of the gear 20 a pawl22 is pivotally mounted and is adapted to engage with the teeth of theratchet 21 to lock the loosely mounted gear" 20 upon the shaft 16 torotate said shaft in one direction. Upon the rear end of one of therockers 7 a curved downwardly extending rack 23 is secured. The teeth ofthis rack mesh with the teeth of the gear 20. p

As above described, the operation of the invention will be understood asfollows: When the rear ends of the rocker move downwardly in thebackward rocking movement of the chair upon the platform, the rack 23 onthe chair rocker meshing with the gear 20 on the shaft 16 rotates saidshaft, the gear. 20 being looked upon the shaft by means of the ratchetand pawl 22. Thus rotary movement is transmitted to the fan shafts 12through the medium of the belts 1S, and the fans create a circulation ofair in the vicinity of the chair.

The fan shafts 12are preferably mounted on about a level with theshoulders of the chair occupant.

In order to hold the teeth of the racks 9 and 10 in mesh, I provide oneor more heavy coil springs 24- which are fixed at one of their ends tothe platform 5 and at their From the foregoing it will be seen that Ihave devised a very simple and efliclent fan attachment for rockingchairs and operat- I mg means therefor, Which, upon each backwardmovement of the chair will rotate the fan, thereby effecting acirculation of the air and conducing to the comfort of the occupant. Asthe device consists of comparatively few elements Which are not liableto become easily deranged it Will be apparent that the mechanism is verydurable in use and may be produced at small cost. The device as a Wholeis very efficient and of great convenience and serviceability inpractical use.

While I have shown and described the preferred construction andarrangement of the various parts, it will be understood that theinvention is susceptible of considerable modification Without departingfrom the essential features or sacrificing any of the advantagesthereof.

What I claim is In a device of the characteridescribed, the

combination of a platform, a rocking chair mounted thereon, a supportarranged on the platform adjacent to the chair, a shaft j ournaled uponsaid support, a fan secured to said shaft, operating means forsaid shaftmounted upon theplatform, .said' means including a gear and a power.transmitting connection between said operating means and the fan shaft,and a curved rack bar fixed at one of its ends to the rear end of one ofthe chair rockers and extending below the same to coact With saidgearrand' actuate the operating means in the rocking movement of thechair in one direction.

In testimony whereof I'hereunto afiiX my signature in the presence oftWo Witnesses. 7

JOHN 0. RYAN.

Witnesses H. T; HARVEY, STANLING KILGORE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. (7.?

